'Wild' Child

October 17, 2009

How did Max Records, an unknown actor whose only previous credits include music videos for Cake and Death Cab for Cutie, land the lead role in "Where the Wild Things Are"? Two words: Nerf gun. The 12-year-old, who plays Max in the movie that opened Friday, was discovered in Portland, Ore., and immediately hit it off with director Spike Jonze, according to people.com.

"We beat each other up with blow-up boxing gloves and Nerf guns," Jonze told the site. "I was like, 'Wow, he has a good shot.' So, I cast him."

THE DIGIT

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Number of fragrances Sarah Jessica Parker (left) will have after the launch of her newest, SJP NYC. According to usmagazine.com, Parker said the scent was influenced by her "Sex and the City" character, Carrie Bradshaw. Her other two fragrances are Lovely and Covet.

Hot air?

Now that we all know Falcon Heene is safe, the jokes are rolling in. Can't wait until Halloween to dress up as "Balloon Boy"? For $17.95, you can buy T-shirts at zazzle.com with phrases such as "Save balloon boy," "Hide, Falcon, hide!" and "It's hard out there for a blimp." Yeah, this one won't go away for a while.

Golden opportunity

If this weekend's "Saturday Night Live" feels a little heftier, that's because it is. Anheuser-Busch InBev is sponsoring the episode with 11 commercials -- that's all of the national spots -- for Bud Light Golden Wheat, according to The Associated Press. The deal gives "SNL" an extra 6 or 7 minutes to bring the funny, NBC said. Pressure's on!

Jon gets served

TLC has seen quite enough out of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star Jon Gosselin. The network filed a lawsuit Friday against the star daddy in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Md., according to The Associated Press. The suit alleges that Gosselin has failed to meet his obligations, while appearing on rival networks' programs for pay and making unauthorized public disclosures about the show.

Mom's got game

Leave it to Mom to embarrass a guy. Justin Timberlake's mother boasted during a charity benefit held by the wives of pro golfers that she can beat her golf-loving son on the links. "I have, on occasion, actually beaten him straight up," Lynn Harless told people.com. Then she piled on: "I have bragging rights for life."

No-name game

Two names that Padma Lakshmi (left) says she will NOT be naming her baby: Pomegranate or Atlanta. "I just want to see how the baby looks when it comes, and then I'll have some ideas," the "Top Chef" judge told people.com. "The name will have to do with my family. I don't think it's going to be called Pomegranate or Atlanta."